Apricot Almond Bars

I’ve been making these fabulous little “goodies” so long, I have no idea where I ever even got the recipe! Originally, I made them for a tea party and everyone was just ga-ga, so I began making them as part of my Christmas treat trays and now we have folks expecting them each year. That’s a sign of a super-duper “keeper” recipe, wouldn’t you say??

To prepare base, combine cake mix and butter in a large mixing bowl, using a hand-mixer at low speed; mix just until crumbly. Stir in almonds; reserve 1 cup of this mixture. Press remaining base mixture over bottom of prepared baking dish.

Carefully spread warmed preserves over base, leaving an edge of about 1/4-inch all the way around.

In the same mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese with the sugar, flour and salt; beat in egg and vanilla until mixture is smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture over preserves layer.

To prepare the topping, combine the reserved cup of the base mixture with flaked coconut and ¼ cup sliced almonds; sprinkle over the top of the cream cheese layer.

Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and center is set. Cool at least 1 hour before cutting into bars or fingers. Store in refrigerator, but best served at room temperature.